Just because Jake Evans signed doesn’t mean the Canadiens won’t be sellers. The nuance is there: Joel Armia’s best value, one of the most likely pieces to leave, just took a hit because pairing him with Evans would have been available.

The Montreal Canadiens didn’t trade anyone at the deadline, and some believed that if GM Kent Hughes didn’t move, it was because nobody was willing to pay the price he had set for his assets, even though he stated he had decided to keep the team together as requested by captain Nick Suzuki.

Joel Armia could be a top trade candidate for the Montreal Canadiens, if the team sells before the trade deadline.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun said on TSN on Thursday the Canadiens are far apart on an extension with center Jake Evans, who along with winger Joel Armia, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. According to LeBrun, the Habs could look to move both before the March 7 deadline, but not at any kind of discount.

According to TSN insiders Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger, the Canadiens have received trade interest from the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, and Minnesota Wild; all of them have inquired about the availability of one or both players.

Trade Deadline Fallout: Rangers, Senators, Predators, Canucks, Blackhawks, Islanders, and Oilers The Penguins may also try to shed the contracts of goaltender Tristan Jarry and defenseman Ryan Graves. If they moved all three, that is almost 20 percent of the cap.

Joel Armia on the wing? Carson Soucy on defence? Breaking down realistic possibilities for the Cup-contending Jets.

Canadiens: The Forgotten Pending UFA As we get nearer to the March 7 trade deadline, there will be a lot of chatter about pending unrestricted free agents. There’s already been a lot said and written about Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and David Savard. Very little has been written about Christian Dvorak, however.

The nuance is there: Joel Armia’s best value ... but it should cost a second-round pick to get him out of Montreal. Athletic subscribers: NHL trade board 9.0 — new top target with one day ...